Truss is a structural component for roofing in houses, bridges, cranes, towers and many more. Each element is made of wood or steel designed to withstand loads in order to maintain the integrity of the whole structure. Truss is designed using the static equilibrium method of analysis with the criteria that summation of all forces and moments is equal to zero and boundary conditions at supports are assumed as pins. Members are connected using bolts or welds for steel member with a gusset plate as an intermediate part.
The structural analysis starts in determining the reaction forces at supports depending on the possible load combinations that may apply for the system such as live loads, dead loads (weight of truss and external loads), wind loads, or snow load for structures situated in temperate climates, and dynamic loading in bridges. Seismic loading is necessary for truss structures located in earthquake prone areas. After determining the maximum loading combination, each member is designed using the load factor design method according to the type force acting on the member, either in tensile or compression force. A stress reversal might occur which has to be considered that may be a critical scenario in determining size and strength of its member. Computer programs for structural analysis and design of trusses are available in the market which makes the task easy and quick. But manual check should be done to make sure that the structure is structurally safe and sound.